Climate Control
Theme of the Week: What Model Are You?
Henry Brandt
Friday, November 12, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: "I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard" (Acts 20:35). Bonus Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9–11
When I was a college dean, I visited a prosperous farmer whose son and daughter were students at my school. All the way to their parents' house, they spoke highly of their dad. I soon found out why.
After breakfast that first morning, I looked up and saw the father in the kitchen helping his wife with the dishes. A little later I glanced through the window and saw him washing his son's car. During the day the daughter used her dad's car, while he used the truck. Finally, I asked him why he was doing all of this.
"It's my way of saying a special 'thank you' to the kids for wanting to come back home. And I'm helping my wife so she has more time to spend with the kids."
This pattern continued the entire weekend. The mother and father slept on cots in the basement so the guests could have the best rooms in the house and the children could use their own rooms.
This man was neither henpecked nor was he spoiling his children. He didn't do those tasks every day, but was willing to pitch in on special days. His attitude was contagious. Soon the children were helping him with the farm chores and the housework.
—Henry Brandt in I Want to Enjoy My Children
My Response: One way I could spread some cheerful kindness in my family is…
Thought to Apply: A little consistent wholesome modeling and costly servanthood are worth millions of true words harshly spoken.
—Ron Sider (Christian activist)
Adapted from I Want to Enjoy My Children (Multnomah, 2002) by permission.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
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